Against a steady stream of background bickering over the pros and cons of plug-ins, yet another PHEV joins the burgeoning ranks on the Irish market.
It would appear, despite findings of much higher fuel consumption and emissions under ‘real-world’ conditions, that we are continuing our love affair with PHEVs. Sales figures bear that out.
And Chinese giant BYD (Build Your Dreams) hope we will continue to buy, because they have just launched another PHEV to keep the affair going.
The SEAL 6 Super hybrid – in Saloon and Touring guise – makes it seven models on the go here now: the six already selling before the latest arrival(s) are the Dolphin Surf city car, Dolphin hatch, Atto 3 midsize SUV, the Seal, Sealion 7 – all EVs – and the Seal U plug-in.
Technically, I suppose it should be eight: the Saloon and Touring are quite a bit different to look at. The Touring bodystyle is new for European markets.
And by the end of the year, they expect six more to follow the well-beaten track to 16 or more dealerships (they have 14 right now but will add two more in a couple of weeks). From nothing to so many models in three-and-a-half years is a serious achievement by any standards.
The figures speak for themselves: More than 5,800 BYDs (electric, plug-ins to the fore) have been registered since the brand’s 2023 launch; there were more than 1,000 registered in January just gone.
I was interested to once again see what they have done with the Ocean X based design.
It is not so much different, as familiar, in a strange sort of way. But how many ways are there of creating the sleek, smooth lines that so many Chinese makers love without looking too familiar? I don’t know but BYD seem to have myriad combinations and permutations in a never-ending box of tricks for everything from SUV to small urban motor– a little line to adorn the sides of the bonnet being one.
Despite that, but with reasonable badge size, it is getting to the point now where many of us are there, or thereabouts, in recognising or asking: “Is that a BYD?”
That sort of recognition in three years is phenomenal – though their advertising slogan helped raise awareness initially. Remember? ‘The biggest car brand you have never heard of’.
Checked out the cabin; there was good quality overall in, and fitment of, materials, soft and comfortable. The same for the seats. A pity, however, they don’t have electric height adjustment on the front passenger one.
The dominant screen right in the middle of the dash was clear and bright. But I’d have loved a few proper physical buttons to do ordinary, frequent chores.
Back seat space, and knee room in particular scored highly. That’s important for a family car that will compete with a spread of rivals such as the Skoda Octavia, Seat Leon and Toyota Corolla Touring Sport. There’s a big central armrest and loads of other slots of storage.
I had plenty of room and visibility at the wheel; maybe a bit more out the back wouldn’t have gone astray. The car is 4,840mm long, 1,875mm wide, 1.495mm/1,505mm high (Saloon/Touring) with a 2,790mm wheelbase.
There are two batteries depending on the trim of your choice. Entry-level Boost has a 10.08kWh version of the Blade Battery while Comfort has a 19kWh unit. Pure claimed electric range is 55kms for the Boost and 100kms for the Comfort model.
The plug-ins generate a lot of power instantly. And while mindful of the speed limit, there is no doubt this had plenty of poke but I’d await a longer drive before commenting on handling and ride. Over a short journey, I felt that the suspension lacked some vibrancy. I know we are talking front-wheel-drive family saloon and estate here, but it didn’t convey the dynamics that its power might otherwise have evoked.
The Saloon’s boot is long (491 litres) but access was curtailed somewhat by a small aperture. However, you get a whopping (1,370 litres) with the back seats down.
The corresponding figures for the Touring are 500 litres/675litres depending on load height, and 1,535 litres with the seats down.
This Seal 6 Super hybrid is the second BYD to come here with its DM-i dual mode technology. The first was the Seal U Super hybrid SUV in 2024.
They make much of it, but with a few elements of their own technology, it has been done by others, such as Nissan.
Basically, you pair a small petrol engine (1.5-litre 4cyl in this case) with a powerful electric motor and you get a 184hp combination of muscle (212hp in Comfort). The system orchestrates the petrol engine feeding the battery and the battery feeding the motor and the motor powering the wheels. The engine doesn’t drive the wheels. Well, it can on rare cases under heavy performance pressure).
It is, I think, an ingenious system, but I wonder why more haven’t adopted it? Weight, including heavier battery and tank is one major reasons (1,710kgs Boost and 1,805kgs Comfort).
It gives you a car which you can use to commute as an EV would, proponents say. But you have hybrid reassurance of long-distance capability with the petrol always available to keep the battery topped up (unless, of course you let the tank run dry).
I’m not sure – indeed I’m certain – you’d manage a combined range of up to 1,505kms (saloon ‘Boost’) but even if you got 1,000kms-1,200kms on one fill of petrol and one full charge you are doing well.
With a DC swift charging, it is capable of replenishing from 30per cent to 80per cent in 23 minutes. There is a warranty now of 250,000kms, or eight years on the cobalt-free, lithium-ion phosphate Blade Battery.
There is no doubt the trim/spec levels are high across the ‘Boost’ and ‘Comfort’ pickings. It has a five-star Euro NCAP ratings, advanced driver assistance systems, as well as numerous comfort and safety items.
Price will be a strong selling factor: they start at €37,490 for the Saloon and €38,999 for the Touring.
In fairness to them, they claim consumption at 4.4 – 4.8 litres/100km for Saloons and 4.8 – 5.0 litres/100km for Touring models. No one can charge them with mad consumption figures on that basis.
